Confusing Words in English

Confusing Words: Amount (noun/verb) and Number (noun/verb)
Meaning:
Amount (a quantity of something, especially the total of a thing or things in number, size, value, or extent.)
Number (an arithmetical value, expressed by a word, symbol, or figure, representing a particular quantity and used in counting and making calculations.)
Amount vs Number Clarification: Amount is used only with the mass nouns that are uncountable. Number, on the other side, is used only with the countable nouns

Unlike homonyms, there are other words that cause confusion among writers and speakers. For instance, amount vs. number is one of the confusing cases that has to be resolved. These two words are closely related to each other that is why people get confused of these words. Both of these words are frequently used by each and every person.

In this post, I will compare amount vs. number. I will come up with proper definitions and examples to show you the correct usage of these words within a sentence.

Amount vs. Number – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

As I said above that amount and number are used frequently. These two words are very common but I am sure that mostly people do not have idea about the difference between amount and number. The words depict that these are related to counting or quantity of something. Both of these words are used as noun and verb within sentences.

Let us describe them one by one to make a clear picture depicting the difference between these two words.

Amount

This particular word is used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, amount, means a quantity of something. You can use amount only for the mass nouns. Mass nouns are the nouns that are uncountable. You are unable to count mass nouns such as sand, water, pleasure etc.

1. I cannot find out the expected amount of sand in the jar.

2. Your presence will give me an enormous amount of pleasure.

3. He paid regular amounts of money to a charity. Reference – (cambridge.org)

Amount is used as a verb as well. As a verb, it means to total. For example, the electricity bill amounts to $50.

Number

Like amount, number is also used as a noun or a verb within sentences and it also refers to the quantity of something. But, there is a difference in the usage of number. Unlike amount, number is only used with count nouns. Count nouns are the nouns that are countable individually. For instance, stars, grains of sand, books in library, pages of a book etc.

1. I asked my assistant to find out the number of women working in the company.

2. Number of cases of the disease is increasing day by day.

3. Letters of complaint were surprisingly few in number.Reference – (cambridge.org)

Number as a verb can be also used within a sentence. As verb, number means to amount to, or to add up to. For example, the people were numbered in hundreds at my show or I want to number the grains of sand.

What Did You Learn?

Amount and number, both are used to refer the quantity of something. You should remember the difference that amount is used only with the mass nouns that are uncountable like pleasure, sunlight etc. Number, on the other side, is used only with the count nouns that are countable like books, children at a school, stars etc.

Confusing Words: Alright and All Right (adverb and adjective)
Meaning: of a satisfactory or acceptable quality.
Alright vs All Right Clarification: Alright and all right have same function in a sentence. The difference is that ‘alright’ is a nonstandard term for ‘all right’.

Alright vs All Right – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Do you remember the word ‘already’? Alright is same as already in appearance but there is a major difference between them. Actually, the word ‘already’ can be used formally because it is a proper word of English vocabulary. ‘Alright’, on the other hand, is a non-standard English word. This word is used in informal writings.

Alright = Informal (Incorrect form)

All right = Formal (Correct form)

Origin of Alright and All Right

After much research on the word ‘alright’, I came to know that this particular word, ‘alright’, was started using in 1893. The words like already and altogether of English vocabulary was frequently used by people. Thus, the informal form ‘alright’ came into being. The correct form was ‘all right’ which is now confused with the word ‘alright’.

Now, alright is used in every context making its image to be a formal word. Though, this nonstandard form is frequently used in dialogues but still it is considered incorrect for formal writing.

So, it is my advice to stop using this informal word in formal writings otherwise the critics will not leave you in passing unsatisfied comments.

Continue reading the definition and examples for more clearance.

The single-word ‘Alright’ is wrong to use in formal writings.

Beside the above discussion, the meaning of two-word phrase ‘all-right’ is acceptable or satisfactory. This phrase is used to show someone’s feeling about something. For instance, the dress was all right. It means that the dress was not so good but it was satisfactory or fine.

All right is used as an adjective or an adverb.

1. The traffic was blocked but don’t worry, she was all right there.

2. She calls them whenever she is travelling to assure them she is all right. Reference – (Oxford Dictionaries)

3. It is all right if you are thinking that I am wrong.

Got it?

I hope that from the above discussion, it has been clear that the one-word phrase ‘alright’ is incorrect to use in formal writings. Whereas, two-word phrase ‘all right’ is the correct form to choose for writings.

This is incorrect to say that it would be alright to say good bye or it is alright if you are thinking that I am wrong.

What Did You Learn?

There is no difference in meanings. Alright and all right have same function in a sentence. The difference is that ‘alright’ is a nonstandard term for ‘all right’. The meaning of all right is satisfactory or acceptable.

Confusing Words: Anxious (adjective) and Eager (adjective)
Meaning:
Anxious (feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.)
Eager (strongly wanting to do or have something.)
Anxious vs Eager Clarification: Both, anxious and eager are separate words. These words are not interchangeable.

Anxious vs. Eager – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

You have to be master in the selection of the words for your writing. Sometimes, it is so difficult to select a suitable word to use within a sentence. This particular case is anxious vs. eager.

Somehow, the meanings of both of these words have same sense but these words cannot be interchangeable. As you can see, the spellings are totally different. So, it means that both of these words vary in pronunciation. Both anxious and eager are used as adjectives within sentences.

Continue reading the post to know about the meanings and the usage of both of these words. In this way, you can identify the difference between anxious and eager.

Anxious

This word is used as an adjective. It means that it can modify or describe a noun. Anxious means a state in which a person feels worried or nervous about an outcome or a result of something. This word is said to be a negative feeling or a state. Anxious is synonymous with worried, distressed, troubled etc.

1. I am anxious about my students’ final result.

2. Every family is so anxious about the future of their children in this developing country.

3. The mind that is anxious about future events is miserable. (Seneca)

You have heard about the word ‘anxiety’. Anxious is closely related to anxiety as anxiety means a feeling of worry.

Eager

Like anxious, eager is also used as an adjective. It can also mean to be anxious but in a positive way. Eager means enthusiastic to have or to do something. Eager is synonymous with excited, impatient or hopeful.

1. The final exams were awesome that is why I am eager to get my result.

2. The boys were eager to get admission in a renowned institution.

3. I was young and so eager to make some money as well as get exposed and show my talent. (Young Buck)

Got the Difference?

I hope that from the above discussion you have got the difference between anxious and eager. Just remember that if you are anxious, it means that you are having a negative feeling of anxiety. On the other side, if you are eager then it means that you are having a positive energy of enthusiasm.

Anxiety = Negative

Eager = Positive

What Did You Learn?

Both, anxious and eager are separate words. These words are not interchangeable. Anxious is a state of being worried, distressed or troubled. Eager, on the other hand, is a state of enthusiasm.

Confusing Words: Amoral (adjective) and Immoral (adjective)
Meaning:
Amoral (lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something.)
Immoral (not conforming to accepted standards of morality.)
Amoral vs Immoral Clarification: Amoral and immoral are related to morality, but there is a difference between these two words. Amoral and immoral are not interchangeable.

Amoral vs Immoral – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

It seems like one of these words has incorrect spellings. In fact, amoral and immoral are both correct words to use. If we observe these words, we will guess that both of these words are related to morality. Both words have –moral at the end.

Amoral and immoral are, in fact, used as adjectives. These words are, no doubt, related to morality but there is a minor difference in the usage of these words. You cannot use them interchangeably. Both of these words have different circumstances to use in.

Let us discuss them one by one to get a more clear picture.

Amoral

This word is used as an adjective. Amoral means someone or something who is unconcerned or who is not influenced by good or bad; lack of morality.

For instance, if you are doing something wrong and you do not have any idea that what is wrong in that act. Then, it means that you are a completely amoral person in which the idea of right and wrong is absent.

How can we use amoral within sentences?

1. I said sorry to everyone on Peter’s amoral behavior because he was not in his senses.

2. Modern technologies are making our lives amoral and ignorant.

3. In an age enamored of machines, life becomes amoral, without moral bearings, devoid of moral categories. Reference – (vocabulary.com)

Immoral

This particular word is also used as adjective. Unlike amoral, immoral is the word that is being used frequently by people. It is a slightly famous word than amoral. The meaning of immoral is failing to accept the principles of morality. The synonyms for immoral are wicked, evil, foul, unethical or bad.

It means that immoral is the opposite of amoral because if a person has immoral behavior, he/she can be evil. Despite of having enough idea about moral principles, he/she is behaving in a wrong manner.

1. Abusing someone is seriously an immoral act.

2. Occupying someone’s property is an immoral act against law.

3. What is more immoral than war? (Marquis de Sade)

Check Out: What Is An Adjective Clause?

An Important Point

I want to tell you one more important word which is closely related to amoral and immoral. The word is unmoral which is also used as an adjective. Unlike amoral and immoral, unmoral means unconcerned with morality.

This particular word refers to those things that have no senses at all to judge right and wrong. For instance, Nature is unmoral. Animals and machines are also unmoral.

What Did You Learn?

Amoral and immoral are related to morality, but there is a difference between these two words. Amoral and immoral are not interchangeable. There are categories for the usage of these words.

An amoral person is unconcerned that something is right or wrong. An immoral person, on the other hand, can be evil or wicked because he/she has enough idea about moral principles. Do not get confused of the word unmoral. It means unconcerned with morality such as, animals or nature.

Confusing Words: Alumnus (noun), Alumni (noun), Alumna (noun), and Alumnae (noun).
Meaning:
Alumnus (a graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university.)
Alumni (a graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university. – plural)
Alumna (a female graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university.)
Alumnae (a female graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university. -plural)
Clarification: All of these words refer to graduates with differences of male/female and singular/plural.

Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna and Alumnae – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

English speakers and writers mostly get confused between two words. Today, we have a special case. We are going to face four different words that are close enough to create confusion among writers and speakers. The words are alumnus, alumni, alumna and alumnae.

I am sure that from the above four words, you have heard the word ‘alumni’ the most. Actually, all of these words are correct to use. Nothing is wrong with any of these words. Alumnus, alumni, alumna and alumnae are nouns that you can use within sentences. Two of them are plural nouns while rest of the two are singular nouns.

Now, I will let you know the definitions and the usage of these words. I will explain them one by one to give a more clear image. Moreover, you can read how to use these words in AP style.

Meanings and Examples of Alumnus, Alumni, Alumna and Alumnae:

The above confusing words are used to refer people and by people means ‘graduates’.

Alumnus

Alumnus is used to refer a graduate and it should be a male graduate. It is a singular noun. So, it means that this particular word is for a singular male graduate.

Alumnus means a male graduate.

1. My father is a Harvard alumnus.

2. As an alumnus of the school, Mark frequently donates to the scholarship fund.

3. After years of hard work, Sarah now stands as a distinguished alumnus of her law school.

Alumni

Unlike alumnus, alumni is a plural noun. So, it means that it does not refer to a single graduate. Actually, alumni is the plural of alumnus but it can alse be used to refer to a male and female graduate group. At one side, alumnus means a male group of graduates. On the other side, it can also mean a group in which there are male as well as female graduates.

Alumni cannot be used to refer only a group of female graduates.

1. The university organized a reunion for its alumni to celebrate their achievements.

2. Many successful entrepreneurs are alumni of the business school.

3. Alumni from various years attended the charity gala to raise funds for future students.

Alumna

This word is the opposite of alumnus. It is also a singular noun but unlike alumnus, alumna means a female graduate. You cannot use this word for a group or for a male graduate. Alumna is only used to refer a graduate who is, especially, a female.

1. My mother is a Harvard alumna.

2. As an accomplished alumna, she frequently mentors young women in her field.

3. Being an alumna of the school, she feels a deep connection to its ongoing success.

Alumnae

Unlike Alumna, alumnae is a plural noun. Though it is used to refer female but not a single female graduate. As, this word is a plural of alumnae, it means that alumnae means a group of female graduates. It is not like alumni; alumnae is only used for a female group who should be graduates of any institute.

1. The alumnae of the all-women’s college gathered for their 20th reunion this weekend.

2. Several alumnae have become leaders in the tech industry, inspiring current students.

3. A group of alumnae donated funds to renovate the university’s science building.

Do You Get The Difference?

I know it is a bit confusing to remember these words but it is very important to differentiate between these words i.e. alumnus vs. alumni vs. alumna vs. alumnae. Two of them are singular nouns (i.e. alumnus and alumna) whereas, two of them are plural nouns (i.e. alumni and alumnae).

Singular nouns = Alumnus & Alumna

Plural nouns = Alumni & Alumnae

What Did You Learn?

The four words alumnus, alumni, alumna and alumnae are used to refer graduates. Alumnus is a singular noun that means a male graduate. Alumni is a plural noun which is used to refer a group of male graduates or it can also be used to refer a group consisting of both male and female graduates.

Alumna is a singular noun used to refer a female former student or graduate. Alumnae, on the other hand, is the plural noun of alumna.